Lakers depleted, but not defeated

Chris Kaman makes fun of the empty Lakers bench, finding room enough to lie down for a moment in the fourth quarter. The Lakers finished the 119-108 win with only five players able to play, including Robert Sacre, who fouled out but was allowed to return by league rule.MARK DUNCAN, AP

CLEVELAND – Chris Kaman turned the empty row of seats into a personal daybed, stretching out as if he’d fainted. Steve Nash rapidly changed out of his street clothes and into a purple uniform no one planned for him to use. And Robert Sacre earned the rare distinction of remaining in a game despite fouling out.

Just another day with the Los Angeles Lakers? Nope, Wednesday in Cleveland is in a class of its own after the Lakers, cursed by injury and foul trouble, started the game with just eight players and by the end of the night had just four who were eligible.

Behind Blake’s second career triple-double, the Lakers snapped a seven-game losing streak, beating the Cavaliers, 119-108, but not before referees had to invoke a rule most of the Lakers didn’t know existed.

In the first half, the Lakers lost Nick Young to a knee injury, and in the fourth Jordan Farmar was dealing with cramps in his legs and Kaman had fouled out. By the time Sacre picked up his sixth foul with 3:31 left in the fourth quarter, the Lakers had no players available on the bench.

By virtue of a rarely needed NBA rule, Sacre was allowed to remain in the game, but each of his subsequent fouls resulted in a technical foul.

It proved only fascinating instead of heartbreaking thanks to Blake.

The veteran guard finished with 11 points, 15 assists and 10 rebounds in just his second game since Dec. 13 when he tore a ligament in his right elbow. The injury limited his ability to shoot 3-pointers until he made two in the final three minutes to hold off the Cavaliers.

“I knew that my 3 ball doesn’t feel the way it normally does,” Blake said, “but I got to take advantage of those opportunities when they come and I was fortunate enough to make them.”

A game the Lakers led by 29 points turned from bizarre to absurd after the Lakers lost Young to a knee injury at halftime.

Cavaliers forward C.J. Miles delivered a hard foul as Young attempted a fast-break layup with 2:16 left in the second quarter.

Young stayed in the game for the rest of the half, and his night ended with 6 points, 4 assists and 4 rebounds in 18 minutes. Young will undergo an MRI on Thursday in Philadelphia to determine the severity of the injury.

“I just felt like I couldn’t move on it,” Young said, “and it’s tough.”

Add Young to a growing injury list that on Tuesday included Jodie Meeks and Jordan Hill. Hill, who sat out because of neck pain, is expected to play Friday in Philadelphia, while Meeks is out until at least Sunday because of a sprained right ankle.

Farmar had 21 points and 8 assists in his first game back from a torn left hamstring, but sat out the final 4:56 because of cramps and said he probably overextended himself by playing 34 minutes.

Chris Kaman makes fun of the empty Lakers bench, finding room enough to lie down for a moment in the fourth quarter. The Lakers finished the 119-108 win with only five players able to play, including Robert Sacre, who fouled out but was allowed to return by league rule. MARK DUNCAN, AP
The Lakers' Ryan Kelly tries to drive around the Cavaliers' Earl Clark in the second quarter Wednesday. MARK DUNCAN, AP
The Lakers' Jordan Farmar shoots against the Cavaliers' Anderson Varejao in the second quarter. MARK DUNCAN, AP
Cleveland's Tristan Thompson loses control of the ball against the Lakers' Wesley Johnson (11) and Robert Sacre (50) in the first quarter. MARK DUNCAN, AP
Cavaliers coach Mike Brown talks to Kyrie Irving in the first quarter of Wednesday's game against the Lakers in Cleveland. MARK DUNCAN, AP
The Cavaliers' Kyrie Irving goes up to shoot against the Lakers' Jordan Farmar in the second quarter. MARK DUNCAN, AP
The Lakers' Ryan Kelly shoots against the Cavaliers' Earl Clark in the fourth quarter. MARK DUNCAN, AP
The Cavaliers' Anthony Bennett bats a loose ball away from the Lakers' Kendall Marshall in the fourth quarter. MARK DUNCAN, AP
Steve Nash, center, talks with teammates Chris Kaman, left, and Jordan Farmar on the Lakers bench in the final minute of a Wednesday's 119-108 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. MARK DUNCAN, AP
The Lakers' Robert Sacre, left, shoots over the Cavaliers' C.J. Miles, center, and Anderson Varejao in the second half. MARK DUNCAN, AP
Jordan Farmar, left, and Chris Kaman sit on a nearly empty Lakers bench in the fourth quarter of Wednesday's game against the Cavaliers. The Lakers finished the 119-108 win with only five players able to play, including Robert Sacre, who fouled out but was allowed to return by league rule. MARK DUNCAN, AP

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